A new era of partnership and growth has commenced for the people of Namosi with the recent inauguration of the Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park. This community bamboo park, unveiled just two days ago, serves as a significant representation of Fiji’s commitment to decentralized conservation and sustainability. The official launch was attended by the Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, on the land of the Mataqali Namara.
During the opening ceremony, Ms. Bainivalu emphasized that the park is more than a mere tourist attraction; it symbolizes the start of a collaborative approach to the stewardship of the nation’s natural resources. She stated, “For too long, conservation was seen as solely a government responsibility; today, we declare that it is a shared economic and environmental partnership.”
The Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park offers the Mataqali Namara a direct opportunity to earn a sustainable income through ecotourism and the production of value-added bamboo products, all while preserving their traditional forests for future generations. “This initiative allows communities to earn from protecting their forests, not destroying them,” she noted.
This project is closely aligned with the newly passed Forestry Act, which recognizes the vanua, or the land and its people, as primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of forest resources. Ms. Bainivalu highlighted that the legislation safeguards these investments and legitimizes business ventures, positioning the ministry as a technical partner rather than an overseer.
The inauguration of the park marks the culmination of years of dedicated planning, organization, and engagement from the Mataqali Namara community, who were celebrated for crafting a business plan and market strategy. The park is anticipated to support Fiji’s National Climate Resilience Goals while also contributing to the global initiative that aims to protect 30 percent of land and marine areas by the year 2030.
Describing the development as “more than just infrastructure,” Ms. Bainivalu referred to it as a vital seed planted in the ancestral soil of the community, which is expected to inspire other regions in Namosi and throughout Fiji in their pursuit of sustainable economic avenues. This initiative not only promotes conservation but also empowers local communities, showcasing the potential of collaborative efforts in environmental stewardship and economic development.